Exercise and balance device

ABSTRACT

A device for enabling a workout while providing balance training and methods for using the device. A specific embodiment of the device is in the form of a circular inflated body formed of polyvinylchloride plastic having a needle valve for inflating the body with air, a curved vertical surface, opposing generally horizontal surfaces, an ellipsoidal cross-section, and a diameter of between 12 inches and 18 inches. A flat circular depression centrally located on one of the horizontal surfaces has a diameter between 8 inches and 10 inches with a ratio of the diameter of the body of the device to the flat depression of from 1.2 to 2.25., the flat depression having a depth of 1 1/16 inches to 2 inches. Nubs are distributed over a horizontal surface opposite the flat depression. A method is provided for using the device to work out while providing balance training. A pair of the devices is used to support the arms or legs of a user while the user is performing an exercise. In one method, the devices support the flat surfaces of push-up handles to facilitate push-ups while providing balance training. In another method, the device supports the feet of a user to provide balance training while he or she uses weights.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a device for enabling a workout while providing balance training, and methods for using the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of methods and devices are used as aids in exercising and in balance training. One type of such a device uses an inflatable compliant structure in the form of a ball or semispherical structure. A user attempts to balance on such a device while doing exercises. Examples include: the exercise balance trainer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,175 in which a resilient semispherical body having a plurality of nubs, i.e., rounded projections, is mounted on a hard board. The user can stand or do other exercises directly on the semispherical body or the device can be inverted and the user can use the hard board surface for that purpose. In addition, the patent teaches that the hard board surface can be used for push-ups. Another such device is a balance ball with an underside bearing surface formed as a dome, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,371. Other such devices include a compliant exerciser shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0142801. Another is a balance-exercise semi-spherical a device in which an air cushion carried on a base disk is used for various exercises including push-up by gripping the sides of the base disk, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,919. Still another such device is an inflatable bowl-like member carried on a platform which enables various balance and workout exercises, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,885.

Push-ups are a popular form of exercise to strengthen chest and arm muscles. So-called “push-up handles” have become popular for assisting a user in keeping his arms properly positioned while doing push-up exercises on a floor surface. The user grasps the handles while doing push-ups, as opposed to the traditional but wrist straining method wherein the user presses against the surface with open palms. Further, such prior art devices typically allow for the handle to rotate about a vertical axis. Examples include devices found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,025 and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0014615. One commercial version of such a device, among others, is called “Push-Up Pro.”

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As shown by the above discussion, prior art devices that enable a workout while providing balance training have fairly complicated structure that are costly to manufacture and are bulky, requiring substantial storage space. A need exists for a much simpler device that provides the benefits of combining balance training with exercise such as push-ups and weight lifting. The present invention provides such a device and methods for using the device. A specific embodiment is a device is in the form of a circular inflated body formed of polyvinylchloride plastic having a needle valve for inflating the body with air. The device has a curved vertical surface, opposed generally horizontal surfaces, an ellipsoidal cross-section, and a diameter of between 12 inches and 18 inches. A flat circular depression is centrally located on one side of the inflatable body of the device, having a diameter of between 8 inches and 10 inches with a ratio of the diameter of the elliptical body of the device to the circular depression of from 1.2 to 2.25. Preferred dimensions are 13 inches for the diameter of the body of the device and 8⅛ inches for the diameter of the circular depression. The circular depression is from 1 1/16 inches to 2 inches deep, preferably ½ inch deep. Nubs 24 to prevent slipping are distributed over the other side of the inflatable body.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided for using the device to work out while providing balance training. A pair of the devices is used to support the arms or legs of a user while the user is performing an exercise. In one method, the devices support the flat surfaces of push-up handles, such as the commercially available Push-Up Pros, to facilitate push-ups while providing balance training. In another method, the device supports the feet of a user to provide balance training while he or she uses weights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is plan view of the exercise and balance device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the exercise and balance device;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exercise and balance device taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a person using a pair of the devices of this invention to do push-ups while undergoing balance training; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a person using a pair of the devices of this invention for balance training while lifting weights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the exercise and balance device 10 of the present invention includes a circular inflated body of the device 10 which can be formed of a pliant, expandable material 12 such as polyvinylchloride plastic or other plastic material, having a needle valve 14 for inflating the body with air. The device has a curved vertical surface 16 and opposed generally horizontal surfaces 18 and 20. It has an ellipsoidal cross-section, i.e., a “racetrack” oval, resembling a flattened sphere. Significantly, in order to have the devices easily usable and readily stored, the device has a diameter of between 12 inches and 18 inches. A flat circular depression 22 is centrally located on one side of the device 10, having a diameter of between 8 inches and 10 inches with a ratio of the diameter of the elliptical body of the device 10 to the circular depression 22 of from 1.2 to 2.25. Preferred dimensions are 13 inches for the diameter of the body of the device and 8⅛ inches for the diameter of the circular depression. The circular depression is from 1 1/16 inches to 2 inches deep, preferably ½ inch deep. Nubs 24 to prevent slipping are distributed over the other side of the device.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for using the device to work out while providing balance training. A pair of the devices is used to support the arms or legs of a user while the user is performing an exercise. Referring to FIG. 4, a person is shown doing push-ups in which a pair of the devices 10 support the flat surfaces 26 of push-up handles 28, such as the commercially available Push-Up Pros, to facilitate the push-ups while providing balance training. The devices 10 are used with the nubbed side down to provide traction against the surface of the floor.

Referring to FIG. 5, a person is shown exercising with a weight bar 28 while balancing on a pair of the devices 10. In this case, the devices 10 are used with the nubbed side up to provide traction to the user's feet. Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be utilized without departing from the principles and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Accordingly, such modifications may be practiced within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A device for enabling a workout while providing balance training, comprising: a body having a vertical surface, opposed generally horizontal surfaces, and an elongate cross-section, the device having a longest dimension of between 12 inches and 18 inches; and a flat depression on one of the horizontal surfaces having a longest dimension of between 8 inches and 10 inches with a ratio of the longest dimension of the body of the device to the flat depression of from 1.2 to 2.25., the flat depression having a depth of 1 1/16 inches to 2 inches.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which the device has a longest dimension of 13 inches, the flat depression has a dimension of 8⅛ inches and the depression has a depth of ½ inch.
 3. The device of claim 1 having nubs distributed over a horizontal surface opposite the flat depression.
 4. The device of claim 2 in which the nubs are distributed over at least adjacent portions of the vertical surfaces.
 5. The device of claim 1 in which the body is circular, the vertical surface is curved, and the elongate cross-section is ellipsoidal.
 6. The device of claim 1 in which the flat depression is circular and centrally located on the respective horizontal surface.
 7. The device of claim 1 in which the body is inflatable and includes a needle valve for inflating the body with air.
 8. The device of claim 1 in which the body is formed of polyvinylchloride plastic.
 9. A device for enabling a workout while providing balance training, comprising: a circular inflatable body formed of plastic and having, when inflated, a needle valve for inflating the body with air, a vertical surface, opposing generally horizontal surfaces, and an ellipsoidal cross-section, the device having a diameter of between 12 inches and 18 inches; and a flat circular depression centrally located on one of the horizontal surfaces having a diameter between 8 inches and 10 inches with a ratio of the diameter of the body of the device to the flat depression of from 1.2 to 2.25., the flat depression having a depth of 1 1/16 inches to 2 inches; and nubs distributed over a horizontal surface opposite the flat depression.
 10. The device of claim 1 in which the device has a diameter of 13 inches, the circular depression has a diameter of 8⅛ inches and the depression has a depth of ½ inch.
 11. A method for working out while undergoing balance training, comprising: providing a pair of devices of claim 1 and; using the devices to support the arms or legs of a user while the user is performing an exercise.
 12. The method of claim 11 in which the devices support the flat surfaces of respective push-up handles to enable a user to perform push-ups while providing balance training.
 13. The method of claim 11 in which the devices support the feet of a user to provide balance training while he or she uses weights.
 14. A method for working out while providing balance training, comprising: providing a pair of devices of claim 9 and; using the devices to support the arms or legs of a user while the user is performing an exercise.
 15. The method of claim 14 in which the devices support the flat surfaces of respective push-up handles to enable a user to perform push-ups while providing balance training.
 16. The method of claim 14 in which the devices support the feet of a user to provide balance training while he or she uses weights. 